Here, on the western side of our favorite city, is the zip code 76116. Its eastern boundary is Bryant Irvin, then its southern side is flanked by the Clear Fork Trinity River until it runs into 820. There the boundary jaunts north, takes a tiny jaunt out to Chapel Creek and then circles around the north by way of I-30. There’s one more small aberration when the boundary leaps northward again, circling around Ridgmar mall until it hits Roaring Springs Road and tips south again. The neighborhoods here are known for wide lots and large trees and it’s home to both Ridglea Country Club and Shady Oaks Country Club. If you enjoy a little elbow room, a good ranch-style home, and a slightly slower city pace, you will love this part of town.

Lifestyle

The neighborhoods of 76116 are anchored by the beloved Ridglea Hills neighborhood. The word Ridglea means “meadow on or near the ridge.” With a rich history and a neighborly feel, large lots and plenty of diverse styles of houses, it’s no wonder this neighborhood has remained so popular over the years. Today you will find homes range from around $600,000 to over $2 million depending on size, updates, and how close the home is to the golf course. Whether you are looking for a ranch-style home, a more modern build, or any other style, you are likely to find it in the gentle hills of Ridglea Hills.

Surrounding this neighborhood there are many other appealing areas. Ridglea North is sandwiched by Camp Bowie to the south and I-30 to the north, giving it easy access to the rest of Fort Worth. Many streets in this neighborhood boast large trees and offer a range of houses from small 1940s cottages to larger ranch style or modern homes. Prices here tend to run a little more on the affordable side, with some as low as the $300,000s and other larger homes above the $1 million mark. To the south of Ridglea Hills lies Ridglea Hills Addition offering many homes between $300,000 and $400,000 that are great small starter homes. Flanking the west side, yet still inside the 820 loop are Western Hill and Western Hills North. These homes may not hold all of the charm of those to the east, but they offer affordability within the 820 loop and may be the perfect spot for anyone searching for a place in this beautiful city.

Of course, not to be forgotten, is Ridgmar, just to the north of I-30. While Ridgmar Mall may not be all it once was, this neighborhood is a Fort Worth classic and should certainly be on your list of places to tour if you’re house hunting. There are some gorgeous tree-filled lots, rambling ranch-style homes, and hidden mid-century gems in this neighborhood, all tending to range from $400,000 up into the millions. Our favorite little pocket of homes are those lucky enough to be adjacent to Leonard Park.

What to do

Of course, we cannot talk about the Ridglea area without mentioning Ridglea Hills Country Club. The Ridglea golf course was built in 1935. The fee charged to play the 18-hole, semi-public golf course was said to be 50 cents initially. The country club was eventually opened in 1954. Today Ridglea Country Club is a private, member-owned club with many amenities including everything from formal and casual restaurants to water aerobics. If you’re a member, living nearby gives you easy access to this beautiful space and it’s amenities. For golfers, this is certainly a paradise.

Other beautiful spaces within the 76116 include Luther Lake and North Boaz Park. Luther Lake comprises 10 acres and is surrounded by a little over thirty homes. While tricky to spot from the road due to the surrounding homes, we recommend making a slow drive down Clayton Road during the Christmas holidays so that you can see the gorgeous lights reflected in the water. North Boaz Park is expansive, covering approximately 138 acres of land gifted to the city of Fort Worth in 1928. Within North Boaz Park lies Z Bones Dog Park, a fantastic spot for you and your favorite pup to get out and enjoy nature. Comprising ten acres, seven of acres are dedicated to large dogs, while three are for the little dogs.

If you’re looking for entertainment, we suggest visiting the movie theater at Ridgmar Mall or checking out what special live events are happening at the historic Ridglea Theater. Of course, these neighborhoods, though a little more suburban that more centrally located neighborhoods, are an easy drive to all of the museums and attractions of downtown fort worth and the cultural district.

Where to shop

Most of the shopping and dining in 76116 is located along Camp Bowie. The famous street named after the original military encampment plays host to chain stores, resale shops, and local boutiques. The Market At Ridglea is a long-time local favorite that is like a mini mall for different boutique owners selling clothing, gifts, and home goods. It’s a boutique with something to see around every corner. Nearby are other charming spots to shop such as Babies on the Boulevard, a children’s clothing boutique and Toy Works, one of Fort Worth’s only locally owned toy shops.

If you enjoy a little home improvement or yard beautification, we cannot get enough of Fort Worth favorite, Archie’s Gardenland. Located just off of Camp Bowie, this sprawling plant nursery offers a wide selection of indoor and outdoor plants and is staffed by some of the most knowledgeable people around. As if it couldn’t get any better, Archie’s recently added a tiny cafe onsite, called Heirloom. Open Wednesday through Saturday, 9am-2pm and Sunday, 10am-2pm, this cafe offers a menu that changes seasonally but is always sure to delight. If you need more than plant and landscaping help, look no further than nearby Ace Hardware, a small yet well-stocked shop for all of your home needs.

For grocery shopping, there are several excellent options. Along Camp Bowie you will find a Sprouts Farmers Market as well as a Tom Thumb. Right off of I-30 in Ridgmar is an Albertsons, and on Camp Bowie West, there’s Fiesta Mart. And don’t forget to visit The Meat Board. This wonderful spot not only offers excellent quality locally-sourced cuts of meat, but they also double as a lunch spot with a small but delectable menu you won’t want to miss.

This stretch of Camp Bowie is also home to some excellent spas and nail salons. If self care and a little pampering is what you’re after, try Legacy Salons and Day Spa or European Skin Care and Med Spa.

Where to eat

Even long-time residents of Fort Worth might be a little surprised by how many excellent restaurant options the 76116 region has to offer. It’s hard to know where to start. If you’re looking for a fun local lunch spot, definitely stop by the Lunch Box. Their chicken salad sandwich may just be the best in Fort Worth. Of course there are a few delicious yet casual chain options available such as McAlister’s Deli, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, and First Watch which offers breakfast all day. For casual dining local favorites for lunch or dinner, be sure to drop by Campizi’s Restaurant for pizza or West Side Cafe, a hole-in-the-wall, old-world diner with a menu to match.

If you’re wanting something just a little more upscale, we highly recommend Little Lillies sushi. It’s very laid back and a tiny spot, but the sushi is simply delicious and the service wonderful. Fitzgerald is a relatively new spot that is delighting diners around Fort Worth with its “Gulf Coast inspired seafood” dishes. With an excellent happy hour, a robust wine list, and a menu that will make you salivate, this place is worth a visit no matter where you live in the city. Not far from Fitzgeralds is Rockfish Seafood, another lovely spot worth a visit. Though it’s part of a small chain of restaurants, you’ll find the food and atmosphere to be delightful.

If coffee is what you’re after (and who isn’t), we suggest paying a visit to Flat Track Coffee for a truly perfect cup. This little shop comes from Austin, TX where their beans are roasted and then brought straight up I-35 so we here in Fort Worth can indulge our ever-increasing coffee addiction. There is also a Starbucks coffee located along Camp Bowie.

The Schools

The Ridglea / Ridgmar area is home to Ridglea Hills Elementary School which bears a strong reputation within Fort Worth ISD. This school along with Monnig Middle School have been faithfully serving these neighborhoods for many years. There are plenty of other options at hand and worth exploring. The area plays host to Trinity Basin Preparatory, a public charter elementary school as well as IDEA Rise, another charter school but for high school students. Of course, many residents of the area prefer the short drive to one of Fort Worth’s many other charter or private schools. No matter what you choose, there are certainly a wealth of options for you in 76116.

Have we mentioned that we love our city? Well, we do. And this corner of Fort Worth is a perfect example of why. From the natural beauty to the neighborly feel, we think it’s something special. If you are considering a move and want to explore it for yourself, contact LEAGUE and one of our agents would be delighted to talk through the details or take you on a tour of this zip code. All of us at LEAGUE are passionate about service. We would be honored to serve you and thrilled to show you around the place we call home. Call or email today to ask questions or start the house hunting process.